Golf is all about timing and tempo, finding that consistent groove.
Though entirely by accident, major championship winner Shaun Micheel has become his own metronome, providing a personal, rhythmic backbeat.
Yet his golf game has taken a drumming.
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| Shaun Micheel will get a medical exemption next season, allowing him to play in about 12 events. (Getty Images) |
When he takes the club back, his left shoulder socket pops. Same thing on the follow through. As often as not, he hears a steady click, click. He is not alone, either.
"They can hear it in the gallery," Micheel said.
From a clinical standpoint, the veteran has a torn labrum and biceps tendon, which sounds like something a flame-throwing pitcher would get after a 200-inning season. But even in a relatively low-throttle game like golf, repetitive strain can create issues over time.
The recovery period will be lengthy. His arm will be in a sling for weeks and he won't be allowed to hit balls for at least four months. Surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, during U.S. Open week.
"I'm definitely going to have it done," said Micheel, who has postponed the procedure once already. "Mentally, it's driving me nuts having my shoulder pop all the time."
It's not helping his playing partners much, either, who are getting somewhat weirded-out. Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, played with Micheel recently and was stunned at the sound emanating from his swinging follow-though.
"I though the epoxy had come loose on his clubhead, or maybe he was hitting the tip of his cap or something following through," Johnson said. "Any full swing, you could hear a click."
Johnson was flabbergasted when Micheel explained the scenario.
"I said, 'Dude, my dad's a chiropractor and you've got to get that checked out and get an MRI, because it could be anything,'" Johnson said.
